description L 726-8 Overview
L 726-8, formally designated Luyten 726-8, is a binary star system situated approximately 8.7 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cetus. The system consists of two red dwarf stars, BL Ceti and UV Ceti, which orbit each other in a highly eccentric path. UV Ceti serves as the prototype for a class of variable stars known as flare stars, which are capable of undergoing sudden, dramatic increases in brightness due to intense magnetic activity. This system is one of the closest neighbors to the Solar System.
help L 726-8 FAQ
Are BL Ceti and UV Ceti two names for the same star?
No, they are the two red-dwarf components of the L 726-8 binary, also cataloged as Gliese 65. BL Ceti is component A and UV Ceti is component B.
Why is UV Ceti famous among flare stars?
UV Ceti can brighten abruptly when magnetic energy erupts from its surface, making it the namesake of the UV Ceti class of flare stars. BL Ceti also flares, but UV Ceti has historically produced the more conspicuous events.
How close is L 726-8 to the Solar System?
The binary is about 8.7 light-years away in the constellation Cetus. That places it among the Sun's nearest stellar neighbors, although both red dwarfs are too faint to see without a telescope.
How far apart are the two stars in L 726-8?
BL Ceti and UV Ceti follow an eccentric orbit with an average separation of roughly five astronomical units. That is comparable to the distance between the Sun and Jupiter, even though both stars appear nearly merged through a small telescope.
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